Publications

The aim of this study was to assess the socio-demographic characteristics of boda bodas,the level of awareness of helmet use and risk factors associated with boda bodaaccidents among riders in Fort Portal City. The study was limited only to boda-bodariders from Fort Portal City. The cross-sectional study design was employed to suitthe study using questionnaires as a data collection tool, data collected and analysisdone using SPSS 273. Boda boda cyclists were sampled at different stages in fort portalcity, it was found that 98.9% were male and 1.1% female. Majority of the participants56.4% were aged between 21 to 30 years, 32.6% between 31 to 40 years, and 9.9% below20 years while the minority1.1% between 41 to 50 years. Majority 42.1% attendedsecondary, 28.6% primary, and 27.8% tertiary while the minority 1.5% attended up touniversity level. It was also found that 74.0% owned motorcycles while 26.0% did not.The majority of 49.1% of the cyclists had invested in agriculture, 28.2% in business,11.4% in tailoring, 3.3% education sector and 8.1% in other ventures. The majority 87.9%also had a history of being involved in a road traffic accident while the minority 12.1%had no history, the reason for the accidents differed from one boda boda to another withthe majority 54.6% happening because of over speeding, 11.7% drinking and riding,10.8% driving while tired, 7.1% poor brakes, 3.8% using a mobile phone, 2.9% associatedwith poor roads and 10.7% others. Awareness about advantages of a helmet after scoringthem it was found that the majority 75.9% were not aware, 21.5% moderately aware whileonly 2.6% were aware of the advantages of a helmet. The majority of the boda-boda ridersin fort portal city are men, have at least attended secondary, are in their third decade ofage, have been in this business for at least six years but less than ten years and ownmotorcycles.